By Tommy Campbell, Irish Independent, Evening Herald, Sunday Independent
The world controlling body for cycling, Union Cycliste Internationale, has appointed Denmark’s Ulf Jensen as President of the Race Jury for the FBD Insurance RÁS 8 Day International Cycle Race, which starts from Dublin on Sunday, May 22.
Jensen, a 43 year-old engineer, is one of the UCI’s up and coming race referees having officiated at the World Road Championships in Lisbon, the Track World Cup in Moscow, the World Cyclo-Cross Championships in his home country and many of the top events in Scandinavia and Europe. Following the big Irish event, he will be a member of the Race Jury at the World Road Championships in Madrid later this year.
Speaking from his home in Copenhagen, Jensen said, "I'm delighted with my appointment to the FBD Insurance RÁS, the unique mix of national teams professional teams, continental regional teams and Irish county teams certainly presents a major challenge to which I'm very much looking forward."
The Race Jury is the panel of commissaires, or referees, which has the responsibility for implementing the technical regulations of a cycle race and work in close harmony with the event organisers in ensuring a fair and successful competition. Joining the Dane on the FBD Insurance RÁS will be Irish International Commissaires Jack Watson, Michael Robb and Ian Gallaher, assisted by Phil O’Brien and Paul Watson.
At least 150 riders from upwards of 8 countries are expected to be in the line-up when the race moves off from the GPO on May 22. Following stage finishes in Emyvale, Tubbercurry, Lisdoonvarna, Templemore, Abbeyleix, Rathdrum and Wicklow Town the grand finale will once again be in the beautiful setting of the Phoenix Park on Sunday, May 29.
